Demountable wheel equipment



J. S. WILLIAMS. DEMOUNTABLE WHEEL EQUIPMENT. APPLICATION FILED DEC.15,1917- 1,34,658n Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

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- DEMOUNTAIBLE WHEEL EQUIPMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Original application filed J anuary19, BIL Serial No. 603,552. Divided and this application filed December 15, 1917. Serial No. 207,232.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Riverton, county of Burlington, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Demountable Wheel Equipment, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention consists of a novel resilient wheel equipment which is demountable as a unit of structure and wherein an inner trussing portion is provided with abutments at its sides around which the terminals of an outer trussing portion extend.

' These terminals extend inwardly of such abutments and are compressed with respect to them. This outer trussing portion is annular and is transversely disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to themajor axis of the equipment in cross section and has bonded with it means to increase the capacities to resist and limit circumferential and lateral elongation of the outer trussing portion and provide load support capacities in the flattened arch and the parts cooperating therewith. Between the inner and outer trussing portions means are provided for the flexing movements of the outer trussing portion. The outer trussing portion is combined with the inner portion tension relationship transversely and longitudinally outwardly of the major axis and about the abutments of the equi ment in cross section.

The transverse and ongitudinal tension is shown consisting of multiple layers of suitable fabric frictioned, coated and securely embedded with layers of vulcanized rubber so as to utilize the required strength and stability of construction suited to any special service. Air, fluid or viscous material or any suitablemobile material can with advantage be employed according to the re sult desired.

Novel features of construction and advantage will hereinafter appear in the detailed description.

' For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same will be found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalitie of which my invention consists can be variously and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

F gure 1 represents in perspective and in sectlon a resilient wheel equipment, embody- 1I1% Iny invention.

1g. 2 represents in section and in perspect1ve another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 3 represents in section interlocking features of the construction seen in Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference indicate cor responding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings.

In my copending application Serial #603,552, filed January 19, 1911, and of which this is a division, I have described and broadly claimed a novel resilient wheel equipment. My present invention relates more particularly to a demountable wheel equipment which forms a concrete, unitary structure which can be secured to the vehicle wheel in any desired manner.

Referring first to the embodiment seen in Fig. l, 1 represents a transversely divided annulus having the side flanges 2, the outer face of said annulus beingprovided if desired with transversely disposed corruga tions 3. 4 designates an annularly and transversely disposed truss which is flexible and resilient and disposed inwardly of the major axis of the demountable equipment in cross section. The truss 4 forms the seat of the tire and has embodied therein an annu lar band 5 having threaded lugs 6 to receive cap screws 7 seated in the annulus 1 and effecting a lock between the tire seat to pre vent any relative lateral or circumferential movements of such parts. The sides of the truss 4- have embodied therein annular rings 8 which may or may not be endless. Centrally of the truss near its outer face is an annular layer of resilient material which is more resilient than the rest of the truss. The outer portion of the truss 4 is formed of fabric and rubber extending transversely in arch formation and anchored around the rings 8. 9 designates an annular belt of fabric and rubber disposed transversely in flattened arch formation and having its side terminals extending in curvatures around the rings 8 and bonded to the sides of the trus 4.

If desired the belt 9 may be reinforced by an annular spring member 10 transversely disposed in arch formation with its sides extending in curvatures around the rings 8.

Outwardly of the tension belt -9 is an annular, transversely disposed belt 11 of fabric and rubber. 12 designates the tread the rubber of which is extended around the sides of the belts 9 and 11 and bonded with-the truss 4. The inner face of the tire body is preferably provided with transversely disposed corrugations to interlock with the corrugations 3 of the annulus 1 which forms a transversely divided rim member. WVith the exception of said rim 1 the equipment is vulcanized into a unit of structure. Due to the formation, there is formed between the truss 4: and the tension belt 9 am annular transversel disposed clearance space 13, the Walls ofwliich form an air tight tube into which mobile material may be inserted through the valve openin 14. The inner portion of the seat 1s yielding so that the annulus 1 can be expanded against it and interlock with the tire.

In the embodiment seen in Fig. 2 the underlying principle is substantially the same except as to the construct-ion of the 1nner truss. 15 designates a transversely divided annulus forming a rim member similar to that seen in Fig. 1. The inner truss 16 is nonflexible and is formed of an annular metal band in recessed or channeled formation in cross section with its sides enlarged, as at 17, to formbeads. The truss 16 is provided with threaded openings 18 to receive cap screws 19 which seat in the annulus l5 and prevent any relative lateral or circumferential movements of the truss and the tire having its seating portion clamped between them. The body of the tire and the rim member have common to them interlocking corrugations 20. 21 designates an annular tension belt of fabric and rubber transversely dis osed in flattened arch formation with its si es extending in curvatures around the beads 17 of the truss 16. The terminals of the tension belt 21 may be reinforced by annular metal bands 22 which as illustrated have a curved formation in cross section. In

order to prevent relative circumferential movement of the truss and rim the rim is provided with lugs 23 and the truss is pro vided with lugs 24, said lugs interlocking 'when the parts are assembled, see Fig. 3.

elliptical formation but the shape of this space may vary. All of the parts except the rim 15 may be vulcanized into a unit of.

structure and if desired the truss '16 as well as the tube may be detachable from the rest of the equipment. y

In both of the embodiments shown the portion outwardly of the major axis in cross section is in flattened arch formation and flexes on the side abutments of the inner truss which latter may be flexible or nonflexible. The inner seating portion of the tire is yielding and the rim is expanded against such seatin portion, mean being provided to render the seating portion inextensible outwardly of its yielding portion. In each embodiment I provide a tension belt the sides of which are anchored to provide transverse tension and also an annular tension belt bonded to it so that the tire body which is flexible and resilient is in tension both laterall and circumferentially when in wheel equipment, the tension being varied by the introduction of mobile content under any desired pressure. The belt in transverse tension limits lateral elongation of the tire body and the belt in circumferential tension cooperates to limit circumferential elongation of the tire body. Such belts may be formed of any desired number of layers of fabric suitably frictioned and coated or without intermediate layers of rubber vulcanized together to provide the requisite strength both transversely and circumferentiallyto give load supporting capacity in the flattened arch formation of the outer truss for any desired load and to operate in trussing relationship with the innerportion. The load supporting capacity and resiliency of the truss may be increased by using mobile material. The entire tire body forms a flexible and resilient tru'ss.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful demountable wheel e uipment which embodies the features of a vantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described preferred embodiments thereof which will give in prac- .tice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same are susceptible body in cross section and having its sides extending around said abutments and anchored inwardly of said inner trussing portion, said inner and outer trussing portions having disposed between them means to provide for the flexing movements of said outer trussing portion, an annular tension member bonded with said outer trussing portion, and a tread.

2. A demountable wheel equipment, comprising an endless, annular body having an inner annular trussing portion provided with a seating and with side abutments substantially on the major transverse axis of the body, an outer annular trussingi, portion transversely disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to the major axis of the body in cross section and having its sides extending around said abutments and anchored to said inner trussing portion, said inner and outer trussing portions having disposed between them means to provide for the flexing movements of said outer trussing portion, an annular tension member bonded with said outer trussing portion, a tread, a rim operating expansively against said seating to truss said 'side abutments, and means to vary the tension of one of said trussing portions.

3. In a device of the character stated, a truss forming the seat of the tire and adapted to be secured to an inner support, annular circumferentially inextensible members embedded in the inner portion of said truss, an annular layer of resilient material located centrally of said truss, the outer portions of said truss being formed of fabric and rubber extending transversely in arch formation and anchored around said members, and an annular belt of fabric and rubber disposed transversely in flattened arch formation and having its side terminals extending in a curvatures around said members and bonded to the sides of said truss.

4. In a device of the character stated, a truss forming the seat of the tire and comprising an annular portion adapted to receive fastening devices and having inner rings embedded in the inner portion of said truss, an annular layer of resilient material located centrally of said truss, the outer portions of the latter being formed of fabric and rubber extending transversely in arch formation and anchored around said inner rings, an annular belt of fabric and rubber disposed transversely lin flattened arch formation and having its side terminals extending in curvatures around said inner rings and bonded to the sides of said truss, said belt being reinforced by an annular spring member transversely disposed in arch formation and having its outer terminals extending in curvatures around said inner annular rings.

5. A demountable wheel equipment, comprising an endless annular body having an inner annular truss formed of an annular inextensible member, an outer annular trussing portion disposed in flattened arch formation relatively to the major axis of the body in cross section and having itssides deflected around and inwardly of said inner truss, an annular tension belt bonded to said outer trussing portion, a tread, annular reinforcements in the terminals of said outer trussing portion, means to compress the terminals of said outer trussing portion against said inner truss to form as a unit of structure a demountable wheel'equ'ipment, and an annular cavity between said innertruss and said outer annular trussing portion.

6. In a device of the character stated, a truss forming the seat of the tire and comprising an annular band, inner rings embedded in the inner portion of said truss, an annular layer of resilient material located centrally of said truss, the outer portions of said truss being formed of fabric and rubber extending transversely in arch formation and anchored around said inner rings, and an annular belt of fabric and rubber disposed transversely in flattened arch formation and having its side terminals extending in curvatures around said inner rings and bonded to the sides of said truss, in combination with an outer annular transversely disposed belt of fabric and rubber, and an outer tread, the rubber of which is extended around the sides of said belts and bonded with said truss.

7 In a device of the character stated, a truss forming the seat of the tire and comprising an annular portion adapted to receive fastening devices and having inner rings embedded in the inner portion of said truss, an annular layer of resilient material located centrally of said truss, the outer portions of the latter being formed of fabric and rubber extending transversely in arch formation and anchored around said inner rings, an annular belt of fabric and rubber disposed transversely in flattened arch formation and having its side terminals extending in curvatures around said inner rings and bonded to the sides of said truss, said belt being reinforced by an annular spring member transversely disposed in arch formation and having its outer terminals extending in curvatures around said inner rings, in combination with an outer annular transversely disposed belt of fabric and rubber, and an outer tread, the rubber of which is extended around the sides of said belts and bonded with said truss.

8. A demountable wheel equipment, comprising an endless, annular and transversely elongated body, having an outer resilient portion in flattened arch formation across its major width in close proximity to the major transverse axis of the body, and with side abutments projected from the curvatures of 11. A demountable wheel-equipment comsaid arch, substantially on said axis within prising an endless annular body having a the width of the body, said arch being portion, extending outwardly from the major formed of flexible tension and resilient matetransverse axis of the body in cross section rial extending t said abutments and a tread and consisting of annular and transverse supported by said arch. tensile reinforcing material, resilient bond 9. A demountable wheel equipment, coming and flexible. tread material, concentriprising an endless, annular and transversely cally disposed and combined in flattened elongated body having an outer resilient arch formation outwardly from and relaportion in flattened arch formation across tively to the major transverse axis of the 1ts major width in close proximlty to the body, and with transverse tension reinforcemajor transverse axis of the body, and with ments across and from said arch forming side abutments projected from the curvaflexible tension side abutments for said arch tures of said arch, substantially onsaid axis and body substantially on the major transwithin the width of the body, said arch being verse axis of the body.

formed of flexible tension and resilient ma- 12. A demountable wheel equipment comterial extending to said abutments, a tread prising an endless annular body having a supported by said arch, an inner trussing portion extending outwardly from the major support having formation and means intransverse'axis of the body in'cross section wardly of the major transverse axis comand consisting of annular andv'transversc bined with said outer portion in annularly tensile reinforcing material, resilient bonding r transversely trussing and tensioning associaand flexible tread material concentrically tion with said arch and providing-circumferdisposed and combined in flattened arch forential inextensibility in said abutments, submation outwardly from and relatively to the stantially on the major transverse axis, said major transverse axis of the body, and with body having a clearance space within it intransverse tension reinforcements across and wardly of said arch and having a seating from said arch forming flexible tension side portion adapted to coact, lock with and be abutments for said arch and body substanlocked and tensioned with any suitable form tially on the major transverse axis of the of inner support such as a demountable or body, in combination with means inwardly fixed rim equipment, so as to maintain the of said axis in the width of the body proabutments and such arch in trussed and tenviding circumferential inextensibility for sion relationship about said inner trussing said abutments, substantially on said axis. support. 13. A demountable wheel equipment com- 10. A demountable wheel equipment, comprising an endless annular body having a prising an endless, annular and transversely portion extending outwardly from the major elongated body, havlng an outer resilient transverse axis of the body in cross section portion in flattened arch formation across its and consisting of annular and transverse major width in close proximity to the ma or tensile reinforcing material, resilient bonding transverse axis of the body, and with side and flexible treadmaterial, concentrically abutments projected from the curvatures of disposed and combined in flattened arch forsaid arch, substantially on said axis within mation outwardly from and relatively to the the width of the body, said arch being major transverse axis of the body, and with formed of flexible tension and resilient matransverse tension reinforcements across and terial extending to said abutment-s, a tread from said arch forming flexible tension side supported by said arch, an inner, trussing abutments for said arch and body substansupport having formation and means intially on the major transverse axis of the wardly of the major transverse axis combody, and an inner annular and transverse bined with said outer portion in annularly. spanning support for said outer portion intransversely trussing and tensioning associeluding formation and means in the sides for ation with said arch and providing circumproviding circumferential inextensibility for ferential inextensibility in said abutments, said side abutment substantially on and substantially on the major transverse axis, about the major transverse axis of the body, said body havin a clearance space within a core space in the body formed by said arch it inwardly of said arch, and having a seatand inner support and contributing to the ing portion adapted to co-act, lock with resilient movements of said arch, and proand be locked and tensioned with any suitviding for the resilient tensioning of said able form of inner support such as a dearch and body outwardly of the transverse mount-able or fixed rim equipment, so as to axis by means of fluid content under presmaintain the abutments and such arch in sure within said core space.

trussed and tension relationship about said JOSEPH S WILLIAMS inner trussing support, and a resilient medium in said space for resiliently trussing, Witnesses: tensioning and supporting said arch and G.- D. MCVAY, body. M. E. BYRNE. 

